Unit 2 Flashcards
Neurotransmitters
chemicals in the brain in each neuron that allow the impulse to cross over the synaptic gap. (they act like a bridge)
Neural inhibitors
Act like a wall, stops the impulse
ACH
Neurotransmitter involved in muscle movements and memory
Autonomic Nervous system
Part of the nervous system that we are not concious about
Peripheral nervous system
part of the nervous system that connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Controls muscles, organs and senses.
Sympathetic nervous system
The muscles in a our body, we are aware of what’s happening
Parasympathetic nervous system
it calms us down, and returns it back to normal. (when we stop running it makes the body go back to normal).
Myelin sheath
Covers the axon
Dendrites
The beginning of the neuron that receives the information
Terminal branches
Where all the neurochemicals live
Neural networks
When the neurons get organized to fire more quickly
Párkinson
It’s a desease where the myelin sheath is not protected properly
ALS
The brain stops regulating the organs functions, so they will shut down
Epilepsy
It’s a disorder where the neurons fire with no control
Adrenal glands
small glands located on top of each kidney, they produce hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.
Pituitary glands
small gland located at the base of the brain. Regulates important functions like growth, reproduction and metabolism by releasing different hormones.
Medulla
Part of the brain that controls basic life functions like breathing, blood pressure and heart rate
Reticular formation
part of the brain that helps you control awareness and makes you stay awake.
Thalamus
part of the brain that sends sensory information to the right parts of the brain.
Endocrine system
network of glands that release hormones to control mood, metabolism, growth and stress.
Cerebellum
part of the brain that helps control balance, coordination and movement.
Limbic system
part of the brain that controls emotions, memory and motivation.
Amygdala
part of the brain that handles emotions. It’s the brain’s emotional response center.
Hypothalamus
part of the brain that regulates body functions such as hunger, thirst, temperature and sleep.
Cerebral cortex
it’s responsible for thinking, planning and making decisions.
Glial cells
support cells in the brain that protect and maintain neurons.
Frontal lobe
part of the brain that is responsible for making decisions.
Parietal lobe
part of the brain that processes touch and pain.
Temporal lobe
part of the brain that helps process sounds, language and memory.
Motor cortex
part of the brain that controls voluntary movements sending signals to the muscles.
Sensory cortex
part of the brain that processes sensory information
Aphasia
condition that affects a person’s ability to communicate
Broca’s area
allows us to think of things and say them.
Wernick’s area
allows us to hear what other people say and translate them to words in our brain.
Plasticity
the brain’s ability to make up for other parts of the brain after some type of injury or illness.
Corpus callosum
part of the brain that connects the two halves of the brain and allows them to communicate and share information.
Pons
part of the brain that connects different parts of it and helps control breathing, sleep and facial movements.
Phineas gage
worker who survived a brain injury, which has helped scientists learn how specific parts of the brain are linked to personality
Visual cortex
part of the brain that processes visual information.
Writing prompt
The brain communicates with the body at a cellular level through neurons, which transmit using electrical impulses called action potential. When the action potential reaches the synapse, the electrical sign is converted into a chemical one. This is done by releasing neurotransmitters, like ACH, which cross the synapse to attach to receptors on the target cell, continuing the signal.
After neurotransmitters have done their job, they are often taken back up by the neuron through the process of reuptake, allowing for regulation and reuse of chemicals. This system makes the communication between neurons and target cells efficient.
